NPP Regional Executive Elections: COKA, Kokofu face off in Ashanti as Okoe-Boye, Alfred Boye Battle in Greater Accra

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) heads into its regional executive elections this weekend, with keen contests expected in several regions as the party intensifies its reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general election.

The elections will take place in 15 regions on Saturday, August 15, 2026, while the Western North Region will hold its polls on Sunday, August 16.

The exercise is expected to produce regional leadership teams responsible for driving grassroots mobilisation and strengthening the party’s organisational structures as it seeks to recover from its defeat in the 2024 general election. The reorganisation will culminate in the election of national officers on October 3, 2026.

The Regional Delegates Conference is made up of members of the Regional Executive Committee, Members of Parliament (MPs), constituency executive committees, representatives of the Regional Council of Elders and Council of Patrons, as well as representatives of TESCON and other constitutionally recognised groups.

Delegates will elect regional chairpersons, first and second vice-chairpersons, secretaries and deputy secretaries, treasurers, organisers, women’s organisers, youth organisers, Nasara organisers, communications officers and Persons with Disability (PWD) coordinators.

Key contests

The Ashanti Region is expected to attract considerable attention, with former Afigya Sekyere South Constituency Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, challenging former Environmental Protection Agency Chief Executive, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, for the chairmanship.

Both candidates have embarked on vigorous campaigns, with COKA maintaining that he remains focused on securing the mandate. The contest has generated significant interest, with 34 aspirants cleared to contest various positions following the vetting process.

In Greater Accra, former Ledzokuku MP and former National Health Insurance Authority Chief Executive, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, will face former Regional Executive member Alfred Boye in a two-horse race for the chairmanship.

In Bono, incumbent chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, faces competition from Kwabena Oppong, Evans Afari Gyan Yeboah, Yaw Afful and Joseph Mensah.

The Western Region will see Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed, Ignatius Kwasi Afrifa and Kwame Opare Addo contesting the chairmanship, while in the Northern Region, incumbent Alhaji Mohammed Samba faces Alhaji Inusah Amadu, popularly known as Dagomba Boy.

In the North East Region, incumbent Alhaji Fuseini Nurudeen is being challenged by Regional Secretary Sulley Sambian. In Savannah, incumbent Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana, popularly known as Professor Kalamonia, faces former Ghana Water Company Managing Director Clifford Braimah.

Oti has four aspirants: Sherifa Sekyere Tijani, Ahenkora Collins Yaw, Frank Yirenkyi and Evans Yaw Dapaah.

In Eastern, incumbent Jeff Konadu Addo faces former New Juaben North Constituency Chairman Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang. Upper West incumbent Abdul-Aziz Abdul Rahman, popularly known as Alhaji White, is being challenged by Alhassan Kanton Alaska.

Five candidates are contesting in Upper East: Elvis Figo Awonekai, Patrick Ayaba, Filson Awankua, Dr Moses K. Atinga and Osman Mahamudu Konkonana.

In Bono East, Bukari Ibrahim is contesting against Thomas Adu Appiah, while Ahafo incumbent Kwabena Owusu Sekyere faces former Asunafo North MP Robert Sarfo-Mensah and Justice Appiah-Antwi.

The Central Region will also be closely watched following the death of its long-serving chairman, Robert Kutin Jnr, in December 2024. Kutin defeated Dr Joseph Kobina Essibu in the 2022 regional elections.

Dr Essibu, a former regional treasurer and entrepreneur, is again among the prominent figures linked to the contest, while Armstrong Esaah, a former regional secretary aspirant, is seeking the secretaryship.

In the Volta Region, incumbent Chairman Makafui Woanyah is seeking a third term against former Regional Secretary Joseph Homenya. First Vice-Chairman Kenneth Kodjo Ayim is also facing competition from Steve Delanyo Klu and Joseph Kwaku Wilberforce.

Western North to vote Sunday

The Western North Region is the only region scheduled to vote on Sunday. Incumbent Chairman Benjamin Armah has withdrawn from the race and endorsed his sole contender, MaDaniels Nyame.

The elections will be closely watched for the personalities who emerge, the balance of power within the party and the ability of the new regional executives to unite the rank and file behind the NPP’s rebuilding programme and its bid to return to power in 2028.

Electoral rules

Under the party’s guidelines, the Regional Elections Committee will supervise the exercise, while the Electoral Commission will conduct the elections and assume full responsibility for ensuring that the process is transparent, free and fair.

Security arrangements will be handled exclusively by the Ghana Police Service. Access beyond designated security perimeters will be restricted to delegates, members of the Regional Elections Committee, contestants and their accredited agents.

NPP Director of Elections Evans Nimako told the Daily Graphic that there would be no congregation on voting day and, consequently, no provision for party executives to address delegates.

He said voters would be required to walk in freely on their own, adding that no delegate would be escorted to the voting screen except persons with mobility challenges and with the consent of the Electoral Commission.

Mr Nimako also said voters would not be permitted to wear the colours or display the effigies of contestants at voting centres, including T-shirts, caps and posters. Delegates would likewise not be allowed to enter voting screens or booths in groups or pairs and would be required to leave the designated voting area immediately after casting their ballots.

Delegates must carry identification documents, including a Voter ID card, party card, passport or Ghana Card, to facilitate verification of their names.

Mr Nimako urged all delegates to comply fully with the electoral laws, regulations and guidelines governing the elections.

He stressed that no individual would be permitted to remove or add names to replace deceased persons on the electoral roll.